Case against man accused in killing of teen outside Pittsburgh restaurant moving forward

PITTSBURGH — The case against the suspect accused of killing a teen outside his mother’s Strip District restaurant is moving forward.

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Howard Hawkins was in court Friday for a preliminary hearing on criminal homicide charges in the death of Ahmir Tuli, who was shot and killed in February.

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Hawkins was arrested in July outside Hollywood, California. He was extradited back to Pennsylvania to face charges in Tuli’s death.

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Court documents said Hawkins got into an argument inside “Preeti’s Pit,” and security told him to leave. Hawkins came back a short time later and was accused of shooting Tuli in the head outside the front door. Police said Hawkins’ girlfriend, Chayla Robinson, was also there that night and drove him away after the shooting. Robinson was also arrested.

Attorney Paul Ellis Jr., issued a statement on behalf Tuli’s family saying:

“We are grateful that at today’s preliminary hearing, all charges in this matter were held for Court. While our family is grieving over this senseless tragedy, we appreciate the compassion of our family, friends, and supporters. We thank the detectives and district attorney’s office for their diligence in prosecuting this case. Our hope is that a conviction will be secured so that no other family has to experience our pain at the hands of this defendant.”

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